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Illinois Public Media

Chicago Bears to Retire Ditka’s Number

May 24, 2013

Hall of Famer Mike Ditka will have his No. 89 retired by the Chicago Bears next season.

The Bears say the number will be retired at halftime of their Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field on Dec. 9, a fitting tribute for a player who revolutionized the tight end position with his pass-catching ability
and later coached the 1985 team to the Super Bowl championship.

In a statement, he calls it "a tremendous honor'' and says he's "very humbled by it.''

Chairman George McCaskey says Ditka "embodies the spirit of everything the Bears are about.''